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The Sikkimese can be broadly classified into the Lephcas, the Bhutias, the Nepalese and the plainsmen. There are other linguistic communities like Gurung, Sunwar, Mangari, Newar, Rai etc. and other plainsmen who have migrated here from other states of India. Communities, cultures, religions and customs of different hues intermingle freely here in Sikkim. In urban areas many plainsmen like the Marwaris, Biharis, Bengalis, South Indians and Punjabis. 
Gurung language
This is spoken by the Gurung people in two dialects. Gurung languages use Devanagari script. Lepcha Language The original inhabitants of Sikkim are the Lepchas. They existed much before the Bhutias and Nepalese migrated to the state. Before the Lepchas adopted Buddhismor Christianity as their religion, they were believers in the bone faith.It is a language spoken by the people in Sikkim and parts of West Bengal, living on the Himalayan foothills. Nepali Language The Nepalese appeared in Sikkim much after the Lepchas and Bhutias. The Nepalese now constitute more than 80 % of the total population. is a language in the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European language family. The Nepalese introduced the terraced system of cultivation. Cardamom was an important cash crop introduced by the Nepalese. Nepali is commonly written in the Devanagari script, as are Hindi and Sanskrit. Tamang Language It is a term used to collectively refer to a dialect cluster spoken in parts of Nepal and Sikkim. It comprises Eastern Tamang, Northwestern Tamang, Southwestern Tamang, Eastern Gorkha Tamang, and Western Tamang. Sikkimese Language Bhutias are the people of Tibetan origin. They migrated to Sikkim perhaps somewhere after the 15th century. In Northern Sikkim, they are known as the Lachenpas and Lachungpas. The language spoken by the Bhutias is. Dzongkha Dzongkha is considered a South Tibetan language and is closely related with Sikkimese. This language is mostly spoken in Bhutan and along the northern bordering regions of Sikkim. Groma It is another Tibetan language that has some speakers in Sikkim. People living on the borders of Sikkim and Bhutan mainly speak Groma. Majhi This is the language of the Majhi communities in Sikkim who traces their roots in Nepal. There are thousands of Majhi speakers in Sikkim. Thulung Also known as Thulung luwa, this is a Sino-Tibetan language that comes from Kirati language family. Thulung is spoken in some parts of Sikkim and Nepal. Limbu Belonging to the Sino-Tibetan language group, Limbu language is mostly spoken by Limbu communities in Sikkim, Darjeeling, Assam, and Nagaland. Sherpa This Tibetan language traces its roots in Nepal but is widely spoken in many northern and northeastern states of India, including Sikkim. Sherpa is mainly spoken by Sherpa community in Sikkim. (Last Updated on : 16-03-2023) |
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